Is a 31 my next boat? Trailering

[Bel Canto]

I have been reading a lot of the threads on this site. I have some questions and will keep them separate.

Is there a good way to find hotels that have room to park the truck and boat? To make things a little tougher, we will have two small dogs with us. I have read about "boaterhoming", but are already afraid that things may be a little claustrophobic, especially with the pups.

In the same vein, what do I do when visiting my parents. Are there any suggestions just for parking the rig.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

We too travel with small dogs (four of them!) staying at Motel 6 as they are universally pet friendly. While en-route we use Google Earth to check parking but I've given up trying to fish my rig into and out of motel parking lots; they usually are not set up for anything of length, never empty and they'll trap you in when they fill up! Now a days we just look on GE for semi trucks and other towing folks parked near the hotel. Keep in mind if you're just looking for some shut eye you can stay on the boat at truck stops (can be noisy) rest stops that allow overnighting and of course the Wal Mart all at no charge!
We also bought adapters to plug into land 30 and 50 amp services at RV parks when we want to stay somewhere awhile. A hose into your sink discharge and a bucket puts you in compliance with the "self contained" rule. We bought a lightweight folding step ladder (with steps not rungs) at Home Depo that gets us safely on and off the swimstep. When we're on the boat for the evening we pull the ladder up into the cockpit (like raising a drawbridge) and there we are, snug, comfortable and secure. In the boat, on the trailer, you're actually looking down fifteen or so feet at the goings on around you!